EATIP AGM 2013

http://www.eatip.eu/

Annual General Meeting 2013

The 5th Annual Meeting of the EATiP was held in Brussels on the 10th September 2013 at the Hotel Metropole, Brussels. The meeting covered the role and future of EATiP following its official recognition as a European Technology Platform, including current and future actions that are being made to further the development of European aquaculture. The presentations made can be downloaded from the links at the bottom of the page.

A range of recommendations were proposed for action, covering EATiP's future activities, promoting synergies and the potential for the integration of networking activities under the EATiP umbrella and how EATiP should evolve in line with the new ETP strategy. These should account not only for its achievements but also on how additional developments could respond to the needs of both the industrial and RTD communities. Contributing to growth and development of the industrial components of the European aquaculture is essential.

Commission representatives put forward that EATiP should not only liaise with the other Bio-Economy ETPs but also other developing initiatives, such as the Fisheries Platform proposed recently. An additional ambition for ETPs is that they should promote the involvement of the private sector in RTD actions and it was proposed that EATiP should try to map what RTD is being done in the private sector. The progression of ERANETS towards PPPs (Public-Private Partnerships) and the use of European Innovation Partnerships, dedicated to getting innovation into the field were also noted.

Additionally, EATiP was requested to look closely at the potential for international cooperation - specifically on Science and Technology - so as to make best use of European advantage in these areas.

The question of how to mobilise SMEs in both RTD and EATiP actions was a specific discussion point, raising the question of how to make such involvement attractive to SMEs, particularly for those who are yet to be involved in research. While SMEs are often leaders in applying innovation, it remains very difficult to get SMEs actively involved in European actions and initiatives.

It was recommended that EATiP establish a contact base, to help mediate on information supply, so that ‘brokering’ of relevant information/knowledge could be made easier. While specialised conferences are attracting higher levels of industrial participation, it is necessary to find the right means to communicate and extend research and innovation to the SMEs.

This discussion was taken up in the EATiP Assembly on the following day where it was proposed that the SME mobilisation issue should be examined in more detail. Just using projects to achieve this is difficult and awkward. Although positive examples can be identified, it was agreed that a network mapping exercise needs to be done so as to better understand how and where SMEs are present and interested. Encouraging the actions of National (Mirror) Platforms and/or similar entities appears as a viable option since they have more direct contact with the SMEs.

From the RTD perspective, AquaExcel and other projects provide significant opportunities but this approach could be taken further. Projects have a finite timeline and it is necessary to have longer term stability to improve such actions. A stepwise review approach was recommended, but this will need organisation and coordination. It was agreed that EATiP would work on this so as to report with recommendations to the next Assembly in March 2014.

In conclusion, EATiP will take steps to review a number of different points so as to prepare recommendations for the next General Assembly, concerning:

Formalised presentation of the EATIP Vision and SRIA to funding agencies so as to stimulate realisation of the Plan of Action

Establish links and synergies with other Bio-Economy ETPs

Strategy discussion within EC-ETP workshop (end 2013-start 2014)

Recommendations for mobilisation of SMEs

Creation of a Working Group devoted to actions on fish health (e.g. with ETP GAH and EAFP

Enhancement of collaboration with AquaExcel

Potential for EATiP actions on international cooperation on Science & Technology

Potential for better integrating within EATiP the activities, actions and, where appropriate, the products of AquaMed, Euroshell , Larvanet and AquaTnet

The EATiP Board of Directors will take relevant actions to achieve these recommendations in the coming weeks.

Full details of the discussion, conclusions and recommendations can be found in the Meeting Report attached below.

The 5th Annual Meeting of the EATiP was held in Brussels on the 10th September 2013 at the Hotel Metropole, Brussels. The meeting covered the role and future of EATiP following its official recognition as a European Technology Platform, including current and future actions that are being made to further the development and growth of European aquaculture.